Block-signal apparatus.



I A. 135mm.

BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.3.1906.

ra'i tea Sept. 22, 1903.

iSHEETS SHEBT l.

dream,

A. BBVAN. BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS- nruonrou nun 020.3,1uoa.

Patented Sept 22, 1908.

Q 8HEBT8--8BBET I.

A. BBVAN. 'BLocx SIGNAL APPARATUS. 'APPLIOATIOX FILED DEOJ. 1900.

899,153. Patented Sept 22, 1908.

i SHEETS-SHEET a.

altocun A. BEVAN.

BLOCK would APPARATUS.

APPLIUATXUH FILED DEO.3. L908.

Patented Sept 22, 1908.

4 BHEET8-8HBIIT l.

ALEXANDER BEVAN, OF YROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BLOCK-SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 22, 1908;

Application filed December 8. 1906. Serial No. 346.001.

To an whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALnxAxnnn Bevan, citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Providence, in the county 0 Prey]- dence and State of Rhode Island, have mvented certain new and useful Improvements in Block-Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to railway block signaling systems, and has for its ob'ect to provide an improved device of simp e, durable and practical construction and one that Will be most ell'ective as'an electrically operated railway block signaling system in which the signals will be actuated automatically by a passing car to indicate the presence or ab sence of other cars on the track sections or blocks, signals being so arranged that they will indicate to a. car entering the blocl: whether or not the track is clear ahead, and in which direction a car or cars may be movin in the block.

his signaling system is particularly adapted for use on a single track road with turnouts, each section o si le track constitutinv Whatis known as a bloc each end of each section being provided with a signaling apparatus both of which apparatus are actuated alternately to set the necessary signals when a car enters an empty block and to restore said signals to normal conditions when the last car leaves the block.

A feature of my improved device is the manner of supportin and operating the target, the same being ted to the upper end of an oscillating arm, the center of gravity of said to at passingeover the pivotal point in moving cm the c or to the danger position and vice versa. I do not confine myself however to this particular arrangement, as the te%TE-et ma be counterbalanced and suspendom a ore to swing like a ndulum from its point of support. In eit or one of the above arrangements the target is moved in either direction only by a passing car and not by gravity as is the case of most signals of this character.

When the gravity target is held by an electromaetin its clear sition it may be found in the den -r position not only when a car is in the bloc lc but also if the wiring becomes defective, or if for any cause the current is shut off from its supporting magnet clenergizing the some. The above objection is obviated m the present construction as it is impossible for the danger signal to move ex-' cept that a car operates the same in cnteri the block; the last car on leaving the bloc carries the target back to the clear or normal position indicating that the track is unoccunei 1 Another feature of the invention is that the mechanism controlling the flashing or momentary extinguishing of the lamp is so arranged that this flash can only occur when the actuating mechanism has full completed its operating movement, ant not at the beginning of the movement as in other constructions. The flash is thus positive eyiilence that the signal has properly operate In the ordinary construction of targets of this character one set of magnets is operated to control the counting mechanism and through it to operate a set of secondary nm-guets, which in turn control the movement of the target. By this improved construction I have eliminated the secondary magnets, causing the primary magnets to not only operate the counting mechanism but to also operate the target as well. These actuating magnets are energized by the current from the trollev wire and owing to the great but unavoidable variation in the intensity of the current the target when operated directly by the elcctro-magnets is sometimes tin-own with great force while at other times it would be scarcely moved at all. Such lack of uniformity obviously would prove fatal to the successful working of a device operated in this manner. It is therefore found advisable to employ an auxiliary mechanism which first operated by the said magnets and which in turn opcrates to move the target with the desired speed and certainty.

The invention consists of other novel features as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the appended claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar c aracters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings: Figure l-is a side elevation of our improved device one side of the casing bein removed. Fig. 2is an end view of the l evice in section. Fig. 3 is aplan View showing the counting mechanism and arrangement of ma nets which operate the some. Fig. 4- ustrates a form of tar ct actuating mechanism whereby the quiat movement of the magnets is caused to act on a spring or its equivalent, to compress the same cllowin the re-actlon of said spring through suit-uh e mechanism to more the target with a comparatively slow and uniform motion. Fig. is an cloctrically operated mechanism in side elevation, showing means whereby the period of action of the initial current on the magnets may be prolonged until the semaphore has been thrown to a predetermined point before said current is cut 011'. Fig. 6-is an end elevation showing the relative position of the electricall operated mechanism. Fig. 7 is a dcta illustratin one form of mechanism by which the flas ing of the lamps may be produced which is that of a prolonged wiping contact carried by the movin parts. Fig. S-is a diagrammatic view of the general wiring of the system. Fig. 9is a d|aof wiring of the mechanism shown "I efcrring to the drawings, at l is the base to which is secured the signal opcratin' mechanism. Suitable fastening means, such as. cars 22, are provided on either end of this base by which the same may be secured in position on a pole or other convenient place to display thesi 'nals. At 3 and 4 is represented a pair of ellectromlagnets which work together it on a single armature U,

and are energize by the incoming cats. At 5 5 and 6 is another similar pair of magnets which act u on another armature 12 and are 0 ated y the outgoing cars. All four of t ese magnets are supported on the bracket 7, w ch bracket is bolted to the base to support this mechanism. These armatures are made in a bar form and are preferably mounted on rearwardly extendmg arms that are provided with ears 8-8 hinged to brackets 1010 on the magnets that control thisamo. F

u rtingt earmaturel1(see .1 is the l lllbfil 13 on the outer end of which is the knee lever shaped pawl 14 pivotally hung at 15 on the downwardly extending car 16. The upper end of this awl 14 is turned outward so as to en, t e teeth of the ratchet 17. The lower on of this pawl is arranged to extend backward at 18 on the opposite side of the pivot point 15 from its engaging and, said rearwardly projectin portion being acted upon by a spring 20 t at serves to press the end upward against the sto pin 14 and swing forward said engaging en 14 so as to catch the teeth of the ratchet and rotate the same when said awl is drawn downward by the energizing the magnets 3 and 4. Another feature tnthe construction of this pawl is that its uptight rtion 19 is backed up at 13 by the end of t a member on which it is hun thus preventing the pawl from swinging ackward while engaging a portion of the ratchet wheel, forming a positive stop and making it impossible for the ratchet wheel to turn more than one tooth at a time i when drawn quickly down by the magnet. A duplicate set of mechanism supports the armature l2 and is operated by the other pair of magnets 5 and 6. The said ratchet wheel 17 is arranged so that the teeth on its o posits halves stand in opposite directions, E tie same being mounted on and fixed to an i oscillating shaft on which is also mounted i and fixed the detent 21 and the t-argetoper- 5 sting lever 26. The detent pawl 22 is held i against the detent wheel 21 by the tension i sprin 23 preventin the wheel from turning l in cit or direction w ten the ratchets are not ou aged by either of the pawls.

l ln my present construction 1 have shown 1 the target. '26 as preferably made in the form to resemble a banjo, and as provided with a 2 single dis in the center of which is a transl arentred material with a broad outer rim or E order also colored red, the center being to i show the color by night and the rim or border l to display the danger signal by do and arranged to show to a car entering t e block, through the aperture in the casing. This target is pivoted on the oscillating shaft 27 I near the over end of its arm 28, said target being supported so that the center of anti moves across the vertical line drawn t rou its point of support in moving from t e danger to the safety position, and vice versa. The target may be partially counterbalanced as at 29 (see Fig. i) if desired, so that it may be moved more easily from one position to the other, and a dash-pot or other cushioning device may be employed to stop the target gradually as it approaches the end of its stroke in either direction.

At 30 is an arm loosely mounted on the shaft 27. The upper end oft-his arm has upwardly extending projections 31 and 32 which projections are enga d b the targetoperatmg lever 26 to use ate te shaft 27 and move the target in the manner hereinafter more fully described. At 33 is a double coil spring wound ou'the shaft 27 (see Fig. 6) one end of each of these sprin being connected to the lever-30, thee posite ends being connected as at 34 to the s ft- 27.

the shock of the nick impulse of the operating magnet so tutt when the armature is drawn quickly downward by the magnet it acts on these coiled springs through the ratchet 17, lever 26 and arm 30 and exerts aflcxible tension on the shaft 27 which in turn acts on the target through its arm 28 to throw it easily from one position to the other.

In addition to the mechanism illustrated in Fi 1 I have arrnn ed a device as illustrate in F' s. 5 and 9 or continuing the ap plication o the current to the actuating The purpose of these springs is to absorb magnets until the target has reached a predetermined oint in its movement from one position to the other, which is accomplished in the following manner:

A car entering the block from the right completes the circuit through wire 59 to eneigize ma 'nets 3 and 4 drawlng armature ll downward causing blade 45 to bridge terminals 43 and 44. At 47 is a terminal permanently connected with the trolley wire through wire 46, and at 48 IS a spring finger attached to the tamet arm connect] 0 term:- nals 47 and 49 (which latter termina is connected to terminal 44), thus complelin a secondary circuit to magnets 3 and 4 t at continues until the target has moved and carried finger 48 to the right to break this connection, which break however does not. occur until the target has nearly completed its stroke.

The cars in leaving the block operate magnets 5 and 6 which are also connected up with a double circuit corresponding to that operating magnets 3 and 4. In providing for more than one car to enter the block an auxil air of terminals 51 and 52 are introduce mto the secondary circuit of magnets 5 and 6 which terminals are bridged by the positioning of the swinging spring finger 50 which is o crated by the counting mechanism and is rought into contact with said terminals on]; when the last car leaves the block.

4 illustrates a modification by which the counting mechanism and the target are operated by purely mechanic-ally actuated mechanism with a speed entirely independent of that of the magnets. in this construction the pivoted members 13, together with the en 'agim pawlsare inserted so that when one 0 said members is drawn downward by a sudden impulse of the energized magnet the spring is com ressed and as soon as the current is shut oil rom said magnet said spring carries the pawl upward to engage and rot-ate the ratchet wheel 17 and throw the target to the o posite end of its stroke with a speed entire y independent of that of the electro-nmgnet, which s .ed may be controlled by adjustment of til: spring tension or b any other suitable means.

The sum spring 7? acts on the pawl to draw the end 79 downward and throw its engaging and outward to catch on the teeth of the ratchet as the member 13 is forced upward by the s ring 75. As soon as the pawl nears the on. of its upward stroke it encounters the stop pin 78 and is thus disenged from the tooth of the ratchet leaving t e some free to be turned in the opposite direction bv the action of the magnet in its turn on the opposite side.

36 and 37 represent a air of incandescent lamps that shine throng the colored transparent center of the target. But one of these lamps is lighted at a time, the other bein a reserve lamp which is automatically li hted by mechanism hereinafter described when the first light burns out or for any reason fails to light. At 38 is a spring finger serving as a terminal which when the target is thrown to the danger position is carried back against the second terminal 39 by the pressure of the target arm 28, to complete the circuit to the trolley wire to light one of the green or indicator lamps 79 and S0 in the box at the opposite end of the block by a system of wiring hereinafter described.

At. 5] and 52 are two solenoid magnets that control the lighting of these extra or reserve lamps. Solenoid 51 is connected in series with one of its pair of green lamps so that as the circuit which is normally open is completed throu 'h the lamp 79 the solenoid is energized andthe core is laid in its up or open position. The core of each magnet 5l-52 is provided with a cross-piece or contact bar 53 insulated in any preferred manner from the core and from the circuits. This crosspiece will brid e the contact posts 54 and 55, establishing e lect-rical connection between them to complete the circuit to the reserve lamp when t e solenoid is denergized by reason of the current failing, for any cause, to pass throu h the lamp which was original flighted, tlius anyfailure of the current to pass through lamp 79 allows the solenoid core 51 to drop and automatically close the circuitto lamp S0. A corresponding condition exists with reference to the solenoid 52, which is connected in series with the red lamp 36, so that when said lamp is burned out, the lamp 37 is automaticall lighted, the circuit of lamp 36 being normally closed.

'I' e o eration of the ap aratus and circuit wiring the system, as ll ustrated in Fig. 8, may be more fully described as follows: This system of signaling is more particularly ada ted to be located at the turnouts of a sing e track road, each section of si le track constituting ablock, and at eac I end of this single track section is located a si -nal apparatus. When' a car enters the block from the left the trolley wheel (not shown) comes in contact with and operates a switch lever 56'. This switch lever may be construct-ed in any desired form and mounted on or near the trolley wire 57 and is arranged to complete the circuit in either direction through one or the other of the operating magnets, being actuated by the passing car. As the lever is thrown to the contact 58 it makes a connection through wire 59 (see Fig. 8) to energize the pair of setting magnets 3 and 4 and causes the actuating lever 26 to throw the target to the danger position, where it may be seen through the aperture 35 in the casing. As this target has reached its lam 79 in the box at the entering end of the blue The flashing switch 81 is hold norof the block, to notify the car that the danger signal at the opposite end of the block has been set. This green li ht, as can be seen from the construction of t he apparatus, can only be lighted when the danger signal is set at the opposite end of the block.

When more than one our enters the block from the same direction the pair of magnets 3 and 4 are energized-and throu h the 1118(l1- :mism described shore, turns the lever 26 a Q step each time it our enters after the signals target to the danger position when the first have been set, and this finger is returned again by the cleamtg magnets 5 and 6 a step 1. In a block signaling apparatus, the com-- bination of a swinging target mounted upon i an oscillatory shaft and retained in either the danger or safety position by gravity, said target being adapted to be moved from one side to the other of a vertical line throu h the point of support in moving from the inger to the safety position and vice verse, the center of gravity of said target being above its point.- of support, and electro-ma netic means or actuating said tu-rget throng 'I said shaft.

In a block signalingapparatus, the eombination of a swinging target ndapted to pass from one side to the other of a vertical line through the point of support in moving to towards its normal position each time a car leaves the block, until but at single car re- 3 nnnns on the blocln When the last car passes out the lever 26 engages-and throws the telet through its flexible mechanism, Q

above the box at the opposite end of the block. 30

dhseribed, to the clear position at the f same time extinguishing the green light in g and from its danger position, magnetically actuated means operated by the ears entering and leaving the bleak, and means whereby said actuated means is caused to move the car enters the block and return the same when the last car leaves the block.

3. In a block signaling apparatus, the combination of a swinging target adapted to be moved from one side to the other of u vertical line through the point of sup wort in moving from the danger to the sa ety position and vice versa, eleotro-magnets, a counting mechanism actuated by said magnets as 21- Another feature of my invention is the con- 1 stnlet-ion by whieh the green lamp ma v be flashed only when the operatmg meehanlsln has fully opera-ted and t 1e target at the 0pposite end of the block is set to the danger 'tion. There are ":Ill'lUtlS constructions or accomplishing this purpose, one of which is that illustrated in F1". 1 whereby the last portion of the stroke of the target actuating merlmnism serves to separate the terminals 40 65 and 66 to flash the lamp. Another mechanism for accomplishing this object is that illustrated in Fig. 7 whereby a prolonged and sliding contact is broken when the segment 82 breaks the connection between the terminals S3 at the lastend of the stroke of the target actuating mechanism.

In either one of the cases illustrated it will be noted that by the arrangement of the mechanism the target must of necessity he in its danger will break 1 e circuit and cause the green lamp to flash.

In the operation of the system it will be seen that the danger signal at the distant end of the bloc-k is set first end then the signal at the entering end is set only after the signal at the distant end is in position. The signal at the entering end thus affords a true indie-ation that the sYst-em is in working order, and that the signs. at the distant and has been setto prevent the entrance of the car into the block from the o posits direction.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let sition before said mechanism ear enters or leaves the block, and means actuated by said counting mechanism to move the target when the first car enters and the i lost ear leaves the block.

4. In a block signaling apparatus, the combination of a swm ing targetadapted to be.

i moved from one side to the other of a vertical line through the point of support in movin from the dan er to the safety position on: vice versa, a shaft, a ratchet wheel mounted on said shaft, magnetically actuated means for oscillating said shaft, and means also mounted on said shaft for moving the targetwhen the first and last cars enter and leave the block.

5. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a target supported on a pivot-ed arm, and adapted to move each side of a vertical line through the point of support in )assing to and from the danger position, as haft, a ratchet wheel mounted on said shaftand magnetically actuated means for operating the ratchet wheel and a lever mounted on said shaft and adapted to act through said arm to more the target.

6. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a pivotallv supported target adapted to swing each side of a vertical line through its point of support, a shaft, a ratchetwheel on target actuating lever mounted on said shaft, magnetically artuated means for operating said ratchet wheel in opposite directions whereby said lever will more said target to and form its danger position.

7. In a signaling apparatus the combination of a swinging target adapted to be moved each side of a vertical line through its I point of support, a. shaft, a ratchet wheel and target actuating lever mounted on smdshait, electromiagnet-s arranged on either side of said shaft and pawls pivoted to be actuated I 8. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a. taret, a shaft, magnetically actuat-cd means or oscillatin said shaft with a step by stop motion and ii cxihle means interposcd between said shaft and said target to serve in moving the same to and from its danger position.

In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a swinging target adapted to be moved each side of a vertical line through its point oi support, a shaft, magneticaliv actuatcd means for oscillating said shait, and flexible means interposed between said shaft and said target to more the same to and from its danger osition it). In a signa ing apparatus, the combination of a swinging target adapted to be moved each side of a vertical line through its point of support, a shaft. a ratchet wheel and target actuating lever mounted on said shaft, magnetically operated means for operating said ratchet wheel in opposite directions, flexible means interposed i'etwccn said lever and said target through which the latter is moved to and from its danger position.

1 I. In a signaling a iparatus the combination of a target, a sha t. a ratchet wheel and target actuating lever mounted on said shaft, I

an clcctro-magnct, a pivoted member, an armature supported thereon, a pawl pivoted on said mom or, a spring for carrying the end of the pawl into the engaging position said pawl being arranged to engage the on of said member to reventan excessive backward motion and orm a stop for the ratchet preventing the same from rotating but one tooth at a time.

12. In a signalin apparatus the combination of a target, a $111, a ratchet wheel and targetactuating lever mounted on said shaft, an clectro-magnet, a pivoted member, an armature sup orted thereon, a pawl pivoted on said mcmger, a spring arranged to raise the armature and also to carry the end of the pawl into its engaginlg position, and means whereby said paw ornis a stop for the ratchet preventing the same from rotating but one tooth at a time.

13. In a signalin a iparatus the combination of a target, a s wit, a ratchet wheel and target actuating lever mounted on said. shaft, an electiomagnet, a pivoted member, an armature supported thereon, apawl pivoted on said member, a s )ring arranged to act on said pawl to raise t 1e armature and also to carry the end of the pawl into its engaging )osition, and a stop engaged by said pawl to limit the same in its backward motion, thereby preventing the ratchet from rotating but one tooth at a time.

l4. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a target, an clcctro-magnet, means for closing a circuit through the coil of said magnet, means for automaticallr closing a second independent circuit through the same magnet coil whereby the full energy of said magnet may be rolongcd.

15. In a sigun ing apparatus, the combination of a tar et, an eicctro-magnet, means including sai et, and means including a secondary circuit or rolonging the energy of saidma e1; unti the target has reached a predetermined point in its travel.

16. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a target, a magnet, an armature on said magnet, means includin said magnet for 0 rating said target, an means act-uated v said armature for closing a second circuit through the coil of said magnet to prolong the energy of the same until said second circuit is broken by the movement, of the t alet.

17. n a signaling apparatus, the combination of a target, a magnet, an armature on said magnet, means including said magnet for operating said target, means including a secondary circuitclosed by said armature for prolonging the energy of said magnet, and means for decnerglrizing the magnet when the target has l'tat'iwt a predetermined point in its travel.

18. In a block signaiing apparatus, the combination of a swinging target adapted to be moved from one side to the other of a vert-ical line from the center of sup ort in moving from the danger to the sa ct position and vice versa, an elcctro-nlagnct, means including said ma net for operating said target, and means or prolonging the energy of said magnet until t- 1e target has reached a. predetermined point in its travel.

19. In a signaling apparatus, the combination of a target, a magnet an armature on said magnet, means inclu 'ng said ma net for operating said target, means operator by sai armature for prolonging the energy of said magnet, means for define 'zing said magnet when the target has rea Sled a predetermined point in its travel, and flexible means interposed between said actuatin means and said target to absorb the initia shock.

20. In a signalin a iparatus the combination of a target, a s iait, a ratchet wheel and means for operating said target mounted on said shaft, an electro-magnet arranged to opcrate on either side of said ratchet, means for operating one of said magnets each time a car enters the block and means for operating the other of said magnets each time a magnet for operating said tarcar leaves the block, and means for prolongin the energy of one of said ma nets on f wiien the first cor enters and the ot er of said magnets when the lastcar lea-res the block.

21. In a signali a paratus the combination of a target, a s is t, a ratchet wheel and means for operating said targetmounted on said shaft, an elect-ro-magnet arranged to operate on either side of said ratchet, means for operating one of said magnets each time a car enters the block, means for operating f the other magnet each time a car leaves the 5 block, means for prolonging the energy of one of said magnets only when the first car 2 enters and the other of said ma nets when g the last car leaves the block, and means for g denergizing the magnets when the target has reached a predetermined point in its travel.

22. In a signaling apparatus, the cnmhinn- 1 tion of a target, a pair of magnets, an nrmature for each pair of magnets, and means 110- mated by the alternate movements of said 1 srmatures for moving said target to and from its danger osition at a speed indepemlent of that of t e nrinntures.

23. In a signaling apparatusthe comhinstion of a swinging target adapted to he i moved each side of a vertical line through its 2 pointof support, a magnet, an armature. and means actuated by the movement of i said armature to-throw said target to and from its danger position at a speed independent of that of the armature.

24. In a signaling apparatus the combination of a target, a magnet, an armature and E spring actuated means operated by the armature to move the target to and from its E danger posit-ion at a speed independent of that of the armature.

25. In a block signaling system the co1nbi I nation of a. swinging target adapted to he i moved each side of a vertical line through its point of support, electro-magnetic means for moving the target to and from its danger position, a lamp circuit normally 0 en, and l means whereby the movement of the target to its danger osition closes said lamp circuit.

26. In a Block signaling apparatus the l turc, a lamp circuit normally open, means for closing said lamp circuit, and means for breaking said circuit at the end of the stroke of said m-nmture as each car enters the block.

27. In a block signaling system the combination of a target, a magnetand armature adapted to move said target to and from its danger position, a lamp circuit normally open, means whereby the movement of the target to the danger position closes said circuit and means for breaking said circuit at the end of the stroke of said armature as each car enters the block.

In a block signaling system, a target, elcctro-magnctic means for throwing the ter- 2 get in and from its danger position, a lamp circuit normally open. i'nenns for closing the lamp circuit when the target is moved to the danger posi ion, and means for opening and closing the hnnp circuit when a subsequent cur enters the block.

29. In a block signaling system, the combination of a target, a shaft. a ratchet wheel mounted on said shaft. electronnagnetic means for rotating said ratchet, a lamp circuit normallv open, means whereby said circult is closed when said target is in its danger position, and means for breaking said circuit only when said magnetic means has completed an effective stroke on said ratchet wheel as each car enters the block.

30. In a block signaling system, the combination of a target. a shaft, a ratchet wheel mounted on said shalt. electro-magnetic means for rotating said ratchet, means including said ratchet for moving said-target to and from its danger position, a lamp circuit normally open, means for closing the lamp circuit and means for breaking said circuit only when said magnetic means has com-- pleted an effective stroke on said ratchet wheel as each car enters the block.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER BEVAN.

ll itnessesz HOWARD E. Bsnnow, E. I. Goons.

5 combination of a target, a magnet, an arnmso 

